First, what is the 'sixty-foot rule'? This is a home-made, somewhat inaccurate rule of mine. But, I keep hearing from Jonathan, our guide, that the history he is describing typically took place 60 feet below where we were standing!
An example: the Via Dolorosa. (The Way of Sorrow). This is the traditional route that Christ traveled, carrying the cross, from his conviction in Herod's temple to where he was crucified on Golgotha. This route was inaugurated in the 18th century and embraced by the Catholic church. 14 stations have been identified and blessed; it is a pilgrimage route for many. Devote followers go early in the morning and reflect at each station, when the cruise ships bring their people in the middle of the day, it is much less sacred. But again, we are 60 feet above where Christ actually suffered on the way to his death.
Now, back to today. We took a taxi through the Kidron Valley and by the Silwan Necropolis to the Mount of Olives. Two quick notes: some Christians read the Bible such that Armageddon will take place in the Kidron Valley. Armageddon being the final war, to end all wars and the end of the world! IF that is the case, it's not going to be a big war, this is a small valley.
Silwan Necropolis is where people have been buried for over 3000 years! It is estimated that over one million people have been buried here, again, not a lot of territory. (over the centuries, layer after layer after layer of tombs).
The Mount of Olives. Famous and historic. First, and ironically, the majority of the area's inhabitants are Muslim. On to why it is famous: This is where Jesus spent much of his time during his ministry. Numerous references in the New Testament. Indeed, the Garden of Gethsemane is at its base, where he was betrayed and taken back to the city for trial, conviction and crucifixion. And it was at the summit of the Mount where Christians believe after he was resurrected, he left earth and returned to heaven.
And the historic: The Jewish Bible, (the Christian Old Testament) speaks of The Mount of Olives in relation to Kings David, Solomon and Josiah. Lots of good and bad things happened here. Some, also, interpret the Old Testament to say that ultimately YHWH (God) will eventually descend to earth here and crack the Mount open like an egg!
Hard to imagine all the above as we took pictures of the Old City and listened to cars and buses pass behind us!
The afternoon was spent in the City of David. For some reason, all of us missed this in Bible classes as we grew up. Prior to and below Jerusalem was the City of David. Largely undiscovered until the 19th century, there has been more excavations here then another other archeological site in Isreal. Now the history. Although inhabited since 4500 BC. "Great" things started to happen around 1000 BC when King David wiped out the Jebusites living there.
Fast-forward to 700 BC when an AMAZING tunnel was constructed from a spring in the valley below through solid limestone to inside the southern wall of Jerusalem to the Pool of Siloam. (More on the Pool of Siloam later). The Assyrians were expected to attack Jerusalem, expecting a long siege, a water source was needed to survive.
Over an unknown period of time, (months, not years) two teams of excavators carved a 533-meter tunnel, meeting in the middle! Plus it had a gentle flow of only 30cm altitude difference! (0.06%) We walked the entire length, in about 6 inches of water, an amazing experience.
And, as predicted we ended up in Jerusalem at the Pool of Siloam. For you Bibliophiles, this is where Jesus sent the blind beggar to rinse after he had a dirt/spittle poltice for his face to restore his sight.
Finally, to finish our subterranean day, we walk an underground 6 foot sewer 'pipe' to get even further under and into the city of Jerusalem.
An example: the Via Dolorosa. (The Way of Sorrow). This is the traditional route that Christ traveled, carrying the cross, from his conviction in Herod's temple to where he was crucified on Golgotha. This route was inaugurated in the 18th century and embraced by the Catholic church. 14 stations have been identified and blessed; it is a pilgrimage route for many. Devote followers go early in the morning and reflect at each station, when the cruise ships bring their people in the middle of the day, it is much less sacred. But again, we are 60 feet above where Christ actually suffered on the way to his death.
Now, back to today. We took a taxi through the Kidron Valley and by the Silwan Necropolis to the Mount of Olives. Two quick notes: some Christians read the Bible such that Armageddon will take place in the Kidron Valley. Armageddon being the final war, to end all wars and the end of the world! IF that is the case, it's not going to be a big war, this is a small valley.
Silwan Necropolis is where people have been buried for over 3000 years! It is estimated that over one million people have been buried here, again, not a lot of territory. (over the centuries, layer after layer after layer of tombs).
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An endless number of crypts.
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And the historic: The Jewish Bible, (the Christian Old Testament) speaks of The Mount of Olives in relation to Kings David, Solomon and Josiah. Lots of good and bad things happened here. Some, also, interpret the Old Testament to say that ultimately YHWH (God) will eventually descend to earth here and crack the Mount open like an egg!
Hard to imagine all the above as we took pictures of the Old City and listened to cars and buses pass behind us!
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| View of the Temple Mount from the Mt. of Olives. Note the gold dome. First, the Temple Mount is Muslim territory. Jews and Christians memorialize it as where Abraham ended up NOT sacrificing Isaac, but the Muslims consider this the center of the world and the 3rd more sacred place on earth. The Muslims won. What Jesus saw in his day was not this gold dome, of course, but the immense Jewish Temple, much larger and much more gold. |
The afternoon was spent in the City of David. For some reason, all of us missed this in Bible classes as we grew up. Prior to and below Jerusalem was the City of David. Largely undiscovered until the 19th century, there has been more excavations here then another other archeological site in Isreal. Now the history. Although inhabited since 4500 BC. "Great" things started to happen around 1000 BC when King David wiped out the Jebusites living there.
Fast-forward to 700 BC when an AMAZING tunnel was constructed from a spring in the valley below through solid limestone to inside the southern wall of Jerusalem to the Pool of Siloam. (More on the Pool of Siloam later). The Assyrians were expected to attack Jerusalem, expecting a long siege, a water source was needed to survive.
Over an unknown period of time, (months, not years) two teams of excavators carved a 533-meter tunnel, meeting in the middle! Plus it had a gentle flow of only 30cm altitude difference! (0.06%) We walked the entire length, in about 6 inches of water, an amazing experience.
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| The end of the tunnel, beyond this gate, the pool of Siloam. |
Finally, to finish our subterranean day, we walk an underground 6 foot sewer 'pipe' to get even further under and into the city of Jerusalem.
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| They are currently excavating. These buckets are filled then sent along a rail to be emptied above. |
Thanks Charlie. Fascinating.
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